Session 3

APPLICATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

Application is the purpose of Bible study (II Timothy 3: 16, 17), and until we let our faith and our knowledge of the Bible change our lives through using Scriptural principles, our study will be meaningless. Let God change your behavior through a changed life and character. Character is improved through applying the Word to one’s life.

  1. Alternatives – To Proper Application
    • Substituting interpretation for application – “I now understand what it is saying.”
    • Rationalizing – (to base your opinions solely upon what is considered reasonable) and forgetting the true meaning of the Scripture – “everybody does it.”
    • Substituting an emotional experience – “I really got a blessing out of it.”
    • Improper application based on incorrect interpretation – “I must confess my sins to be forgiven.” (I John 1 :9)
  2. Hindrances – To Proper Application
    • Pressure from the world (worldliness)
    • Carnality – Spiritual selfishness where the believer responds to his own appetites and desires regardless of the teaching of the Scriptures.
  3. Principles – Of Application
    • Must be based on a proper interpretation of the Scriptures.
    • Must be specific. Discover the teaching of the Scripture and apply it specifically to the need or the problem.
    • Must be in terms of a principle. DON’T SPIRITUALIZE.
    • Must be behavioral, changing the beliefs, attitudes and actions of the believer.
  4. Procedure
    • Know the interpretation of the passage. Develop and use careful analytical Scripture study habits.
    • Discover the principle(s) taught (principalize).
    • Meditate on the application of the principle in every area of your life. I am a husband, father, Christian, preacher, citizen, purchaser, relative, son, brother, friend, neighbor and so forth.
    • Apply the principle in your own life first before you try to teach it to others. (Ezra 7: 10) God’s Word must first work in your life before It can work through your life.

Assignment: Read John 11:1-6, observing and interpreting the passage. Find an application (or more than one) for yourself. How does Jesus “love” Martha, Mary, and Lazarus?